A new breed record for a female was set when Gordon Pole Star X695 went under the hammer for 40,000gns at the Stirling Bull Sales this week.

This May 2022-born daughter of Netherallan Peter Pershore E052 boasts some impressive figures, including a +21 milk score.

She sold at United Auctions in Stirling having been shown once last summer at the Great Yorkshire Show, where she stood junior champion.

Put forward by the Trustees of the Late Gordon Brooke in Earlston, Berwickshire, she sold to Cheshire breeder Ken Hodge for his Greenarch herd.

The second top price for females of 15,000gns was also paid for an entry from the Gordon herd – Gordon Black Cherry X638.

An April 2021-born daughter of Rawburn Luthor T495, she had a successful show career during the summer with various wins including the interbreed championship at the Border Union Show. She sold to R Mawer and E Benge, Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire.

In total, the Gordon herd sold 26 heifers to average 5,604gns.

RULESMAINS

Meanwhile, Andrew and Emma Hodge sold 26 lots in a reduction sale from their Rulesmains herd, which is based near Duns in Berwickshire.

Trade was brisk in the sale – which comprised 16 cows with spring-born calves and 10 maiden heifers – and good units were in demand selling to a top of 6,000gns.

The best at 6,000gns was Rulesmains Kelly X541 – an April 2021-born heifer by the prolific herd sire, Blelack Lord Heartford T879, who has been influential at Rulesmains. Kelly’s dam goes back to the Kinannie line, which is breeding well for Andrew and Emma.

This heifer was purchased by Ben Marsden for his herd based near Clitheroe, Lancashire.

Best of the cows and calves was Rulesmains Princess W387, at 5,200gns.  This was a first calver also by Blelack Lord Heartford, who was sold with her heifer calf at foot, and back in-calf to Rawburn Ellington W168.

In total, 26 lots from Rulesmains averaged 2,627gns – 16 cows and calves averaged 2,819gns, and 10 heifers averaged 2,230gns.

RETTIES

Perthshire breeders Richard and Carol Rettie held a major reduction of their Retties herd to fund the purchase of their own holding.

The offering consisted of 36 lots, comprising 22 cows – most with calves at foot – and 14 heifers.

Trade was good, with the best cow and calf outfit selling to 7,800gns for a 2017-born Billinge Magic Jack Eric daughter and her February born-heifer calf by Retties Lark Royal. The cow sold for 2,800gns to Messrs King for the Langstilly herd in Renfrewshire, while the calf made 5,000gns selling to Brailes Livestock in Gloucestershire.

Second top price among the cow and calf outfits was Retties Pam P286, also selling with a heifer calf at foot by Brailes Fabulous, at 7,500gns.

Best among the heifers was Retties Frances X187, realising 7,500gns.  Frances was also a Billinge Magic Jack Eric M176 daughter, whose dam line goes back to the Netherton Frances line.

In total, 36 Retties lots averaged 3,892gns – this included 22 cows averaging 3,968gns and 14 heifers averaging 3,771gns.

Balhelvie

Four cows with calves at foot made up the draft of females from the Fife-based Balhelvie herd.

The best of this consignment was lot 222 Balhelvie Jannette Erica U403, who sold with her March-born heifer calf at foot.  Jannette Erica is a third calver, sired by Netherton Brave, and sold at 4,000gns for the unit.

In all, the four lots averaged 2,450gns.